Rural Ambassador Alumni Story: Geoff Bush

• Beef Producer ⦁ Inaugural Ambassador ⦁ Show Leader ⦁

It is interesting to see how often the name Geoff Bush comes up in regard to cattle, the show circuit and RAS Rural Ambassadors.

Geoff was one of the first ever Rural Ambassadors in 1990. He was selected after he and his brother were 'trying to encourage youth involvement’ at the Gunning Show. They invited participants to take part in a cattle section that contained only junior judging, paraders and led steers. Underpinning that motivation was his family's lifelong commitment to breeding and showing cattle (rumour has it, Geoff attended his first Sydney Royal Show at just two months of age).

Geoff honed his show experience while he was studying at Hurlstone Agricultural College, where he began showing dairy cattle and joined their strong Rural Youth group. As a result of these formative experiences, he is firmly committed to encouraging youth involvement in rural shows.

“In 1990 we had a core group of 10 Rural Ambassadors, funnily enough I think I knew about six of them before the competition. In fact we still see a fair bit of them,” Geoff said.

‘Life changing’ is often referenced by competitors in the Rural Ambassador program at the Sydney Royal. Geoff applied this quite literally. He happened to meet his future wife during the program, Cootamundra Showgirl and State Finalist Heather Elliott.

Since then Geoff and his family have continuously been involved in the Cootamundra Show, including 14 years as President and now Vice President. Geoff’s wife Heather is currently the secretary. Cootamundra Show is one the hundreds of rural shows again cancelled due to COVID.

Under the leadership of Geoff Bush, and a very enthusiastic committee, the Cootamundra Show has evolved from a one day show into a two to three day event with a very busy schedule including a night program.

It is also well regarded at zone and state level judging with strong representatives in the Rural Ambassador and Showgirl competitions.

“We’ve nominated a lot of people over the years and we have had a lot make it through to the state finals. We’ve even had a state winner, some years we have even had two make the state finals.”

“Our show has a big emphasis on youth involvement but like any committee it is a constant battle to keep our volunteers engaged. I’m especially concerned about having two years away with Covid - we will be working to keep those strong show traditions and entries but to also include that x factor that you need every year,” Geoff said.

“I’m proud to say we have been very successful in keeping a lot of our Showgirls and Rural Ambassadors remain involved with our show - I think this ongoing involvement ensures we can keep producing and fostering these strong entries year after year,” he added.

The whole Bush family has notched up considerable show milestones, their Kirraweena Stud has attended the Hereford National at Wodonga for over 55 years, they haven’t missed a Sydney Royal either.

A commitment upheld by their son Sam, who with a lifetime involvement in cattle showing, Junior Judging and on the committee of the Cootamundra Show was a Rural Ambassador State Finalist in 2019.